THE ROLE OF DIMENSIONS OF IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT AND FIVE FACTORS OF PERSONALITY IN PREDICTING SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING OF MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Mental health and sense of wellbeing has-been the subject of many investigations. Identification and classification of mental health components as well as factors affecting them lead to better understanding of mental health and sense of wellbeing . This study aimed to investigate subjective wellbeing based on the five factors of personality and dimensions of identity development. Materials and methods : The correlational research method was used in this study. 200 students were selected from Semnan Medical University through cluster random sampling method. Neo questionnaire, dimensions of identity development questionnaire (DIDS) and subjective wellbeing questionnaire were used to collect data. Multivariate regression analysis, multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA), and univariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) were used for data analysis. Findings: exploration in depth as a component of identity development, significantly predicted the positive affect. Exploration in depth and conscientiousness also predicted positive affect. There was no significant association between ruminative exploration and the negative affect. Among the five factors of personality, conscientiousness and extraversion significantly predicted positive affect while neuroticism was a significant predictor of negative affect. Conclusion: Exploration in depth and conscientiousness as the most important components of identity development were very effective in enhancing the subjective well-being. Conscientiousness and extroversion as the main components of personality also increased subjective wellbeing. Neuroticism was regarded as a threat to the subjective wellbeing.